Bad blogger

Ok, so I may be the worst blogger ever.  I seem to have forgotten how to do it.  That's not strictly true. I have found a new hobby / passion, and I don't feel like I have much to say at the moment.  But it has been nearly a month, so I thought I best get things up to date with what we have been doing.

                                

We took a trip to the zoo at the beginning of the month.  It was cold, hence Sebastian's attire.  Our membership expired at the end of the month.  We will not be renewing it I don't think.  We only have 5 months left, so it may not be worth it, especially as everyone is in school or work full time, and we have so much more to see and do befor we go.

I took a little trip down to Blythwood on the out skirts of Columbia.  It is about 90 minutes away.  There was a Zumba Glo party being held there.  The instructor was a lady called Lo.  She is a bit of a YouTube sensation, and loads of my instructor friends had recommended her

                               

I really enjoyed my self! It was almost like being in a night club, and was almost better, as no one knew me.  I really enjoyed getting some different choreography and hearing some different Zumba songs.  Zumba has been running for so long now, there are so many song and choreo choices.  I need to get as much experience from different instructors as I can before I head back to the UK and try and start teaching.  Speaking of which, I am doing Zumba Toning training next month.  I am very excited! 

Isaac was invited to a birthday party at Monkey Joes.  It wasn't an official party as such, the birthday boys parents paid Isaac in. The rest of us chose to go anyway.  Glad we did.  Out of the whole class, only Isaac and one other boy showed up.  It did remind us how awful monkey joes is.  The place was ridiculously busy, people everywhere.

                               

That same weekend was the South Carolina International Auto Show at the TD convention centre.  Not quite sure what made it international, maybe it was the Toyotas...... Anyway, they had family day on the Sunday, where the kids got in free. 

The boys had a great time trying out all the cars.  They weren't the only ones.  It was nice to be able to give them free for all on cars. It very rarely happens.

We took Isaacs training wheels / stabilizers off his bike.  He is finally down to 2 wheels.  Typically he took to it like a duck to water.  He was even slowing down and crashing off on purpose.  I just hope he has the confidence next time he gets on his bike

                               

Sebastian turned 5 this month.  He is not a baby or even a toddler anymore.  He had a good day, got most of the presents he wanted and enjoyed himself.  We went out for dinner at Chuckee Cheese (his choice). Because it was a Monday, it was lovely and quiet! He then had a delicious cake.

I can't believe he is 5.  He is turning into a proper little boy. His speech has come on leaps and bounds, and he has a lovely little personality.  He is a social monkey, who loves making people laugh, though his brothers wind him up something terrible! He is still in speech therapy, and it has helped a lot.  We have stopped the occupational therapy for now.  Insurance decided they weren't going to pay for it, so we got left with a very big bill.  We paid it, and are currently arguing the toss with them about reimbursing us / paying for more.  They need a diagnosis.  Both Isaac and Seb are down to be assessed by the behavioral psychologists, then they may have a diagnosis, but may not? We will have to wait and see.....

Isaac has had kindness week at school this week.  He wanted to walk the neighbors dog

                                 

The boys so badly want a dog.  It is a very firm NO. It's hard enough being responsible for these 3, and they can toilet themselves.....

That's pretty much it for the month. We had an ice / snow storm, the kids were off for a Friday and Monday.  They really didn't need the Monday..... I am doing a course on teaching English as a second language online.  It is going well...... I have made some drastic changes to my diet by going low carb.  I aim to eat no more than 50 grams of carbs a day.  That's about the same as what is in a sandwich.  I don't always succeed.  Eating out still gets me, but a lot of the time I am less than 100grams, and that is with eating out.  If I am at home, 50 grams on average a day.  That's is good for me.  It has made a big difference in my insulin use.  I have a diabetic appointment in 2 weeks, so watch this space.

My hobby / love at the moment is crafting. Crafts can be anything, but right now it is bead embroidery.  I love it!  Check out this I made recently

                  

In case you missed it, we have set up a little etsy shop.  Check it out here.  It has all the social media to go with it too: Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram.  Please find them and follow

That takes most of my time at the moment.  I would love to be able to work for myself eventually, with the crafting and the Zumba, and bring in enough to cover supplies/cost and groceries for the month.

That's my goal for this year 

Party time

Morning!!!!

I did not see anyone last week!!!!  Other than Isaacs teacher at his conference, which went fine.  He is doing really well and has a list of phonics with actions.  She is really pleased with his progress and we are both aware of the areas we need to work on.

I picked up a bike on friday for Isaac.  We got it from Craigs List (a bit like a cross between Ebay, but no auctions, and classified ads) for a bargain price.  He loves it.  Now we need to keep our eyes open for one for Isaac.

Oliver had 2 birthday parties over the weekend.  The first was a sports party on the other side of Greenville.  He really enjoyed the running, obstacle course, dodgeball and musical basket ball chairs!  The one on Sunday was at Playnation, an indoor place with loads of garden equipment set up.  Again, he really enjoyed it, although he didn't eat anything at either party.  My boys can be so fussy over food....  It was nice to meet some of the parents from Oliver's school.  I swear, literally everyone I spoke to was a doctor or married to a doctor.  There was a cardiologist, an oncologist, a nurse, an obs/gyn......  The joys of private school

Speaking of food, we were very naughty and had 2 takeouts over the weekend.  Friday we got pizza delivered, which was yummy.  Even Seb ate some pizza, Isaac ate the breadsticks, and Oliver had pizza and breadsticks.  Saturday was McDonalds.  I could not be bothered to cook....  To make up for it, I did a roast beef yesterday for lunch, and the boys have been eating homemade chocolate cake fro pudding. I made one last week to practice for Isaacs birthday cake, more to come on that next time.....

Saturday night is movie night for me and Paul.  We order a film from the on demand provided by Charter.  This week we watched Twilight.  I didn't know much about this film.  I LOVED IT!!!!!!  Even Paul enjoyed it.  So much so, that we watched the second one straight after.  Saturday night was quite a late one....

This week it is Thanksgiving.  Oliver has a feast at school today, Isaac has his tomorrow.  Oliver is providing crisps and Isaac is providing apple juice.  Oliver finishes school at 12 tomorrow, and Isaac finishes later at 12.30.  They are then off for the rest of the week, and Paul is off thursday and friday.  He is using up some of his holiday left over from Rolls Royce, and taking next monday-thursday off. We have been invited to a friends on Thanksgiving day itself for a Thanksgiving dinner, which we are looking forward to.

Then it is Isaacs birthday on Sunday.  We have already bought all his presents, I will be wrapping them during the week, the spending friday night sticking his cake together, and saturday night decorating it.  If it all goes to plan, it should be a work of art, but we will see.....  Pictures to follow.....